Kyoto Things to Do Tips by heywinks

I came here to see an exhibit on the history & aesthetics of tea in Japan. It was a very interesting exhibit: tea bowls, teapots, spoons, water heaters, folding screens & scrolls depicting village tea scenes, etc. The layout was good (some English translation too!) & easy to follow.
The permanant exhibit displays textiles, Japanese old roof tiles, bells, buddha/deity figures, scrolls, swords, & pottery.
It`s a little expensive to see the exhibits so I suggest you check out their website. If the new special exhibit sounds interesting to you, then go. I wouldn`t go just to see the permanant exhibit.
NOTE: 2nd or 4th Saturday of the month it`s free admission to the permanant collection.

Leave a Comment

Phone: 075-541-1151
Address: 527 Chayamachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, 605-0931
Directions: From JR Kyoto Station, go to bus platform D2 in front of the station & take City Bus #206 or #208 to Hakubutsukan-Sanjusangendo-mae bus stop.
Website: www.kyohaku.go.jp

This temple is famous for its rock garden made up of white sand & 15 rocks. It was laid out at the end of the 15th century. In pictures the garden looks larger than what it really is. But this is a place to meditate & reflect. Look at the swirls of the sand. The placement of the rocks. You will be moved.
Also notice the "Tsukubai" (a stone washbasin for the tea room) near the main building. It is inscribed "I learn only to be contented".
The grounds of this temple is amazing.Be sure to take a walk around the pond!
Also, taste & buy the tea at the entrance of the temple. It`s amazing & so delicious!!

Leave a Comment

Phone: 075-463-2216
Address: 13 Ryuanji Goryonoshita-cho, Ukyo-Ku, Kyoto
Directions: Take the #101 or #205 bus from JR station to Kinkakuji-michi stop. Transfer to bus #59 & get off at Ryoanji-mae.

This temple means "clear spring" & indeed it is. You can taste the spring water of this temple when you reach the far end of the grounds.
The temple & its grounds are grand. There are many areas in & around the temple. You can see pagodas, see if you can get some extra luck by reaching a rock walking straight with your eyes closed, & go underground & walk in the dark (you can`t even see your hands in front of you) where you reach a good luck fortune rock.
There are plenty of souvenir shops along the paths to the temple. Very tempting!! Sample the foods that they sell as well. It`s a treat!

Leave a Comment

Phone: 075-551-1234
Address: 1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City
Directions: Take bus #100 or #206 from JR Kyoto station to Kiyomizu-michi or Gojozaka bus stops. & then follow the crowds!!

Tweet Tweet....The sounds of a nightingale. That`s the sound you will hear when you walk through the corridors of the castle. This sound is made through the floorboards so that intruders are heard if they try to come & make trouble!
On the grounds of this castle are also Ninomaru Palace (a National Treasure), Honmaru Palace (open only a few times a year to the public), Seiryu-en Garden, & Ninomaru Garden.
The year 2003 will be the 400th anniversary of the castle.

Leave a Comment

Phone: 075-841-0096
Address: Nijo-dori, Horikawa-Nishi-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
Directions: Take bus #9, #50, or #101 from JR Kyoto station & get off at Nijojo-mae. You can also take the subway from the station & get off at Nijojo-mae station.

This western area of Kyoto is beautiful. Tranquil, peaceful, calm. The scenery amazing & breathtaking.
You can see the famous Togetsu-kyo Bridge, Nison-in Temple, Monkey Park, Tehryuji Temple, & some interesting museums & souvenir shops.
Once you arrive in Arashiyama, everyone just walks from place to place. Clean air, nice people, lots to see. You can take a bus or rent a bicycle if you want but I think walking is best. Wear comfortable shoes when you come here!

Leave a Comment

Directions: Take Hankyu or JR train to Arashiyama Station. A bus is also available from central Kyoto.

Pontocho is a small & narrow alley street a bit hidden off Shijo St. This street is lined with restaurants & machiyas (teahouses) where guests are often entertained by geishas. If you want to see a geisha or maiko (apprectice) it is best to go to this street around 7pm or later.

Leave a Comment

Address: Next to Kamogawa River
Directions: You can take a bus from locations around Kyoto to Shijo Kawaramachi (on Shijo St). You can walk from there, just a few minutes towards the river.

Ginkakuji Temple is a Zen temple, established in 1482 by Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the 8th Muromachi Shogunate.
The temple, originally called Kannonden, is not silver anymore (don`t expect to see a replica of Kinkakuji Temple, the Golden Pavilion, but in silver). It is 2 stories. The first floor is built in the Shoin style (traditional Japanese residential architecture style) & the 2nd floor is built in a Chinese style with Katoumado in the panel wall & a Chinese sliding door.
Besides the temple, you can see a beautiful sand garden & pond.
Open all year round. 500yen admission fee/adult.

Leave a Comment

Phone: 075-771-5725
Address: 2 Ginkakuji-sho, Sakyou-ku, Kyoto 606-8402
Directions: Take the city bus to Ginkakuji-michi or Ginkakuji-mae bus stops. From there follow the signs (in English & Japanese) that lead up to the temple complex. You will walk past souvenir shops that line the main street towards the entrance to the temple gate.

This is probably the most visited shrine in Kyoto. Because of its proximity to Gion, it is also referred to as Gion Shrine. The main building of the shrine was built in 1654.
Yasaka Shrine is famous for its central role in the Gion Matsuri (Festival), held annually around mid-July. The streets are packed during this time as floats line the streets leading around Gion & Shijo Street.
There are many many lanterns decorating the shrine's entrances & stage that are lit after dark. The names on the lanterns display the names of their Kyoto business sponsors.

Leave a Comment

Address: Gion area. Also located next to Maruyama Park.
Directions: Take the city bus to Gion bus stop, about 20 mins from Kyoto Station.